The Fountain of Infinite Wishes

Dare River #5

by Ava Miles

Millions of readers have fallen in love with Ava’s bestselling books…come join the family.

International Bestselling Author Ava Miles presents a gripping and emotional tale about believing in wishes coming true and searching for love—no matter where it leads.

Shelby McGuiness hadn’t stopped believing in wishes.

Vander Montgomery had.

Shelby’s luck might have run out the day her daddy up and left her family high-and-dry. But she pulled herself up by her bootstraps to become a successful accountant working for a powerful, if eccentric, Southern businesswoman whose estate houses a magical fountain. With every wish Shelby makes, her life seems to improve. There’s just one wish she’s always had: to find her daddy.

Cue the sexy private investigator, Vander Montgomery. He’s a true hero, a man who’s turned tragedy into triumph and helps others do the same. But he doesn’t believe in wishes anymore, just plain old-fashioned luck.

Shelby risks everything to uncover the secret behind her daddy's abandonment. She throws coin after coin into the fountain. Then a new wish emerges…that Vander can believe wishes are infinite and love conquers all.

And check out Ava’s bestselling series with a touch of magic, mystery, and romance…

Dare Valley

Which begins with the #1 National Bestseller and USA Today Book of the Year, NORA ROBERTS LAND.

The Dare Valley Meets Paris Mini-series

Which starts with the tantalizing THE BILLIONAIRE’S GAMBLE.

Dare River

Which kicks off with the Best Book of the Year, COUNTRY HEAVEN.
Also including Reader Favorites, COUNTRY HEAVEN COOKBOOK and THE CHOCOLATE GARDEN: A MAGICAL TALE (a children’s book companion).

Once Upon A Dare

Which leads off with the much-loved THE GATE TO EVERYTHING.

For the rest of Ava’s fiction and non-fiction books, check out her website at www.avamiles.com.

REVIEWS:

“On par with Nicholas Sparks’ love stories.” Jennifer’s Corner Blog

"Ava's story is witty and charming." Barbara Freethy #1 NYT Bestselling Author on Nora Roberts Land

“I am adding Ava Miles to my list of always reads like Susan Mallery, Jill Shalvis, Kristen Ashley, and NORA ROBERTS.” Marjay's Reading Blog

“Miles’ story savvy, sense of humor, respect for her readers and empathy for her characters shine through…” USA Today

“…Finding love like in the pages of a Nora Roberts story.” Publishers Weekly WW Ladies Book Club

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY:

International Bestselling Author Ava Miles joined the ranks of beloved storytellers after receiving Nora Roberts’ blessing for her use of Ms. Roberts’ name in her debut novel, the #1 National Bestseller NORA ROBERTS LAND. So far, millions of readers have discovered Ava’s fiction and nonfiction novels.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Ebooks

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 5, 2016

About the author

Millions of readers have discovered International Bestselling Author Ava Miles and her powerful fiction and non-fiction books about love, happiness, and transformation. Her novels have received praise and accolades from USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, and People Magazine in addition to being chosen as Best Books of the Year and Top Editor’s picks. Translated into multiple languages, Ava’s strongest praise comes directly from her readers, who call her books and characters unforgettable.

Ava is a former chef, worked as a long-time conflict expert rebuilding warzones to foster peaceful and prosperous communities, and has helped people live their best life as a life coach, energy healer, and self-help expert. She is never happier than when she’s formulating skin care and wellness products, gardening, or creating a new work of art. Hanging with her friends and loved ones is pretty great too.

After years of residing in the States, she decided to follow her dream of living in Europe. She recently finished a magical stint in Ireland where she was inspired to write her acclaimed Unexpected Prince Charming series. Now, she’s splitting her time between Paris and Provence, learning to speak French, immersing herself in cooking à la provençal, and planning more page-turning novels for readers to binge.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fountain of Infinite Wishes is book five in the Dare River series by Ava Miles. This book was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review by the author. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.



“Wishes are like prayers,” she said, fingering the coin still in her hand. “There’s an infinite supply. You can never wish too much.”

Shelby McGuiness had experienced loss in her life and also great joy. She has a wonderful Mama and step father, two amazing sisters, Sadie and Susannah, and J.P., her big brother that took over as father after her own father abandoned her and her family when she was only two. And she had a job as an accountant to the very rich and somewhat crazy Gail, which allowed her to indulge in some of the finer things in life.



Shelby’s mom would never speak of why her father left. It was an unwelcome subject growing up. But now, she wonders more than ever why he would abandon a wife and four beautiful children. Someday when she met the right man and married, wouldn’t her father have wanted to walk her down the aisle? What was his medical history? So Shelby gets her siblings together and tells them she is going to hire a private investigator to find their father. At least find out if he’s still alive after all these years. They all agree to keep the information from their mother.

Vander Montgomery is a private investigator who lost his father to violence twenty-five years ago. So he takes great joy in helping families find someone important to them. When Shelby and her sister Sadie first came to his office, he felt the pull towards her. But he has a steadfast rule to never date a client.

Outside of Gail, Shelby’s boss’s home, is a huge fountain. Shelby believes in wishes and she never passes the fountain without tossing in a coin and making a wish. Lately the wishes have all been in regards to finding her father but now she has something else to wish for. Vander.



Vander doesn’t believe in wishes. He believes in taking action to make things happen. But watching Shelby make her wishes makes him fall for her all the more. And maybe even want to be able to believe himself.

This was really a beautiful story. This family is so close. Even with all the stress and ups and downs of the search, they held together. I loved the way they opened themselves to Vander as well and accepted him. There are plenty of twists and turns and ups and downs with the search. Some very unexpected surprises. And also some very hard choices to make, some of which might tear apart the brand new love forming between Vander and Shelby.



I love going back to Dare River and visiting all my favorite people. We get plenty of all the couples I have fallen in love with in the previous books and get updates on their lives. We also get to know Sadie, the youngest of the McGuiness children, a lot better. As she watches her siblings fall in love one by one, she wishes for her own special someone. She will get her chance in the next book in the series, The Patchwork Quilt Of Happiness. Until then, I hope you’ll visit Dare River. You can read each of these books as a stand alone but you would miss all the previous wonderful books in the series. So maybe start at the beginning with Country Heaven. I hope you fall in love just as I have.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant read but did not enjoy it as much as other books in the series.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tearful

I loved this book reading it with such sadness at times feeling for poor Vandenburg and his loss. In today's society we here of what this family has gone through. It brings back how lucky I am and thank god for that. Such heartwarming books and I look forward to Sadie ' s story. Thank you Ava hugs xx

[MyJEMS2359 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Fountain of Infinite Wishes is the next installment in Ava Miles' Dare River series. It is loosely Vander and Shelby's story. The story revolves around Shelby's desire to find her father, which leads her to hire Vander, a successful Nashville PI, to find him. Despite dealing with his own personal demons, Vander sinks his entire focus into Shelby's case. As the case progresses, Vander and Shelby reluctantly fall in love. Full of twists and turns, the plot of the story has potential for a great read.

While I love catching up with old characters and the growing love connections among the family and friends, I had difficulty liking this book. I love that Ava Miles typically writes characters that are real, that make me fall in love with them and become invested in their lives. Unfortunately, that didn't happen in this book. The female characters come off as young, immature, and weak. They fret so much and "fix to come undone" at every bump. A seven year old has more emotional maturity than the sisters. The worst of the bunch is Sadie, Shelby's youngest sister, who is supposedly 27, but she sounds and acts more like 17. Nearly half of the book is the sniveling, hand twisting thoughts of Sadie. At times I had a hard time remembering who was supposed to be the main character - Sadie or Shelby?

Also, while I understand this novel is set in Tennessee, the Southern dithering over every decision is too much. Not a scene goes by with a Southern expression exclaiming how Shelby or Sadie is going to get the vapors from some setback. It's like the Southern female on steroids and it's too much. No one fusses that much in their life, especially not 27-28 year old women. Rather than showing the strength of a Southern woman, who shows grace and comportment even in difficult situations, Ava Miles chose to accent every weak ridiculous impression of the Southern female in Shelby and particularly Sadie.

The only females I liked in the story are Charlie, Vander's partner, and Gail, Shelby's employer and Vander's client. Gail and Charlie are proof that Ava can write strong female characters that retain the essence of a Southern woman without all the unnecessary sniveling and fretting. Gail's over the top everything is much needed comic relief.

One of the things I always like about Ava Miles is her male characters. I always empathize more with them than her females, who often come across as spoiled and selfish. The Fountain of Infinite Wishes continues this tradition with Vander. While he isn't as strong as some of Ava's other males, he is real. Ava does a good job of making Vander's struggle authentic.

In conclusion, I felt the story is filled with unnecessary scenes and too many weak whiny females. The story could have been more rigorously edited to create a fantastic book. Ava Miles has a great story in Shelby and Vander, I just wish it hadn't been buried in poor execution and the unnecessary caricature of Southern female dithering. If you can work your way through the Sadie scenes and ignore all the hand wringing, you'll find the bones of a love story that is worth the read.

I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Ava Miles and could not wait for her latest release! This installment focuses on Shelby (sister of JP, Susannah, and Sadie) and her quest to find her father. Shelby hires Vander, a private investigator and one of the best in the business, to handle the search even though some members of her family have hesitations. Sparks fly between Shelby and Vander from the beginning, but he has a strict "no dating clients" policy. Will they finally have the chance to be together, or will the information Vander learns tear them apart?

Shelby felt like a different kind of character than Ms. Miles's typical heroine. She is focused and organized, but she can have trouble showing emotions which can come off as prickly to some. Even though her father left early on in her life, she never gives up hope and never stops wishing. Vander also lost his dad as a child, although this was in the line of duty. He is an incredibly competent PI, but he has trouble letting others get close. I liked watching them fight their feelings in the beginning, and I just loved watching them together when they traveled to meet her grandmother.

I really like the family dynamic of this series, and this book certainly showed that the McGuinness family is far from perfect. Their mother refuses to speak of their father (something I struggled with, and I have to say Louisa fell just a bit in my esteem because of it) and the siblings have trouble agreeing on the correct course of action. I did like watching the siblings come together and travel to find relatives, and those were some of my favorite scenes of this book.

I love Ava Miles and probably hold her books to a higher standard than most. I have to say that there were a few aspects of this story that fell a little flat to me. First of all, all of the southern expressions, words, mannerisms, etc. felt like a bit much to me. I am not from the south so it may have just been because I have no exposure to this, but I found it a bit distracting. I also question Vander's decision towards the end. I don't want to give anything away, but his decision to me seemed to clearly be the wrong move and didn't seem true to the character who had been painted as honest and a straight arrow. I also didn't l-o-v-e this couple like I usually do, and I'm not quite sure why. Their relationship wasn't as rushed as some, but I wanted a bit more development between the two and to watch them get to know each other. Ava's books always have a sense of heartwarming magic in them, but it didn't seem quite as pronounced in this story as it has in others. While I did have a few critiques, I still enjoyed this book a great deal!

Sadie seems so tenderhearted and I can't wait to read her story! I wonder who her man will be!

**I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.

[Cecelia Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is great to be back in Dare River. You get to catch up with old friends and meet some new friends.

Shelby McGuiness and her sister, Sadie, are on their way to meet with a private investigator, Vander Montgomery. Shelby's boss, Gail, had recommended him. They want to find their father who abandoned the family when they were young. They had questions and Mama refused to discuss it. They had not told her what they were doing which was not sitting well with either of them. Their sister, Susannah, and brother, JP, knew and were ok with the search. Vander decides to take their case even though his associate, Charlie, has her reservations. Shelby believes in wishes but Vander has lost all his faith in wishes.

Ava Miles writes with a great insight of people. Her people are complex and interesting. Their hopes, fears, emotions and their actions make you feel like you are right there with them in their search. She always conveys the need for trust and honesty in a relationship. I can never put down one of Ava Miles books. I cannot wait to read Sadie's story!

[Winnie Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved Ms Miles books especially the Dare River series. John Parker was my most favorite book boyfriend for a long time so I was really excited about reading The Fountain of Infinite Wishes. Like the rest of the Dare River books, Ms Miles focuses a lot on family and that is one of the things I love most about her writing. I totally love reading about John Parker again. He is a really great brother and you just can't help but love him. I also loved Vander. He has a heart-breaking past and even though that has stopped him from believing in wishes, it doesn't stop him from being a sensitive guy. He makes a perfect hero. Sadly, I was disappointed with Shelby. Perhaps it's because I can't put myself in her shoes and just can't understand the depth of the hurt her father caused her. I just feel that her reactions were a little over. However, overall The Fountain of Infinite Wishes is still a great read and I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves an emotional read.

*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book about finding out what happens when you dig into the past. Good chemistry between the characters. Great story line.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vroommm, Vroommm, Vrooommm!!!!

Think Ferrari. Think pure, unadulterated joy. Then, READ with a most incredibly blissful smile.

Shelby McGuiness and Vander Montgomery’s romance ran like a well-maintained and gloriously powered luxury car, the type that I, for one, have always dreamed of racing, wind all in my hair, on the coast of Southern France. I will not offer you any spoilers because I want you to enjoy this read, which you can do only by getting to know it thoroughly like your brand new Ferrari. Go ahead, take it out on the open road. You won’t regret it! Then, you’ll want to take it out again immediately for another spin.

I can’t tell you how many times (because I was too engrossed in the story) I silently high-fived Shelby, or I laughed out loud at Shelby and Vander’s banter as well as Shelby’s employer Gail’s antics, or I was “right there with” whenever the McGuiness family interacted as in times of need, they came together and comforted each other with affection and food. Classic elegance meets racy in this latest installment of Dare River when Shelby and Vander work together in order to solve the mystery of her father’s disappearance ages ago. Shelby’s an accountant and she’s decided to take the advice of her employer Gail and locate her daddy at long last. Gail is an immensely wealthy, lively, and extravagant woman who loves the finer things, and she holds no qualms about speaking her mind, or as she’d say, “speaking her piece.” (I cannot begin to explain the beautiful timing of the Southern colloquialisms that Ava Miles includes in her Dare River series—read and find out yourself). It’s Gail’s recommendation that led Shelby to Vander’s office. Shelby knew that she wouldn’t find true peace of mind until she solved the mystery of her missing daddy, which was only all the more puzzling since her usually forthcoming mama was always so tight-lipped about the reasons why he left their family. Shelby’s mama is Reverend Louisa, the self-same quiet powerhouse who helped military veteran and country singer Jake heal in The Promise of Rainbows, and keeping secrets like this isn’t her usual cup of tea. So, the chase is on, and rather quickly, too, because as soon as Shelby and Vander meet, sparks fly.

As a very successful, yet compassionate private investigator, Vander understands how painful unsolved mysteries can be. He lost his own daddy at the age of 10, and no one has solved the arctic cold case of the murder of his prominent police detective father 25 years ago. Vander does his very best to remain completely professional, and refuses to get involved with his client Shelby. Vander, Shelby and her three siblings, baby sis Sadie, big sis Susannah, and big brother J.P. meet with their paternal grandma who gives them the very best lead on their father Preston. Vander eventually speaks with Preston, but can’t convince him to meet with his children. Preston immediately goes on the run again, and only offers a hasty apology for doing so—no detailed explanations given, only allusions to some agreement he made with his ex-wife, Reverend Louisa.

While heartbroken that Shelby won’t meet her daddy, she and Vander experience some elation that they’re able to see each other personally and explore those sparks. Both are people who stand their ground, thus they have tremendous mutual respect for each other, and so theirs is a true partnership of the mind, body, and spirit. Their first date included a trip to the race track where each was a passenger in their powerful luxury car of choice. They instinctively know when and how to comfort each other about their fathers, and do their best to share their feelings and thoughts, no matter what. Of course, there’s always a complication that arises to test the merit of their pledge. Most fortunately, they come back together as Vander finally admits all—that he’s a very changed man since being with Shelby, and for the first time in his life, he believes in wishes again, as proven by his romantic display at Gail’s expensive, imported Italian fountain dubbed the Fountain of Infinite Wishes by Shelby herself.

Some secrets are horrible things, and it’s been proven time and time again that they don’t have a lengthy shelf life where love is concerned in Dare River. Whether it’s coming from an extremely wealthy background and an earned law degree by famous country singer Rye, the horrific domestic violence experienced by his sister Tammy, their sister Amelia Ann’s work at a legal clinic specializing in domestic violence, watching Susannah (Shelby’s eldest sis) assist military veteran and country singer Jake tackle PTSD, or the awful reasons why a man might disappear on his family like Daddy McGuinness did, Ava Miles’ Dare River series proves to sensitively and compassionately cover all the bases of important social issues and their impact on individuals, their families, and loved ones alike in a classic, country setting “down by the riverside.”

I couldn’t decide whether or not this was my favorite installment of Dare River or not, and I was torn between choosing J. P. and Tammy’s story in The Chocolate Garden, Amelia Ann and Clayton’s story in Fireflies and Magnolias, and this one. Happily, I don’t really have to choose and I enjoy each one for different reasons. Once sweet and sassy 6 year old Annabelle quipped offhandedly that her auntie Amelia Ann and Shelby were NOT two peas in a pod because there are always more than that in a pod, I realized why I enjoyed Shelby’s blend of class and fire so much—it reminded me of Amelia Ann’s, which in turn brings me right back to Tammy’s story again. All I can say is you’ll want to read them all, and the Dare River series is as spirited and engaging as Dare Valley (which is more small town in feel, but just as powerful). I love them all because even though they’re interconnected by family, Ava Miles manages to craft each tale as distinctively different, just as it should be. And for football fans, don’t miss out on the Once Upon a Dare series.

Please note that I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overly dramatic

Every day in the real world people have to deal with worse stuff. I feel like the reactions were disproportionate.
The grown children want to find their father who has been ejected by mother and declared unmentionable forever because of unspeakable crimes or actions...
Soooo, what do the kids expect to find?
The actions of the father to run and hide for the next 25 years is exaggerated.
The actions of the children when the learn the truth is exaggerated.
The reaction of everyone involved is lame. Nora Roberts is much better.

[Gretchen B. Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating, Heartfelt, Suspenseful... Another Awesome Story

I am going to hate to see this Series end. You become friends with the characters, feel what they feel & just become a part of the story yourself. I love how each story reveals & highlights different characters in the entwined families & embellished their individual story, all the while having the support & love of all the other family & friend circle. Another Wonderful reading experience. I am looking forward to the next one.

[Lacie Scout Bateau · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my least favorite so far from the Dare River series. I really like the main characters Shelby and Vander. But the story around them, left something to be desired.

It’s been an ongoing theme for Shelby and her younger sister to want to find their estranged father. Shelby & Sadie hire Vander to search for him. He’s a private investigator who came highly recommended by Shelby’s boss Gail.

Throughout their lives, whenever any of the children asked their mother about their father, she would say “the past is in the past.” This left the children full of unanswered questions.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7 stars. I enjoyed this book, though it's not my favorite in the series. There were a few editing errors, mainly extraneous words not removed from rewrites. I did have a small problem with the missing father's secret. It was bad, no doubt; very bad. But I felt the reaction was over the top, as in "absolutely nothing could ever be worse." But, as bad as that was, there could, in fact, be worse things. I also didn't care a lot for Louise in this book.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my ..i just finished The Fountain of Infinite Wishes .. I read it in less than 24 hrs .. I can totally understand wanting to give up on wishes ... This book made my heart heavy many times but made we want to find new wishes as well. I do love all Ana Miles' books but The Dare River ones especially ... Looking forward to Sadie's story and how quilts are like wrapping those around us in love!

[Carol B Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Sometimes these southern characters kind get kind of sappy but this author manages to blend a good read that includes some southern charm, spunk and faith. I love the combination.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down

Had me captivated from the start! I loved the prayers and references to God throughout this book. The story was wonderful and although part of a series, it was very different from the others with a mystery throughout.

[Cynthia Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stupendous

Ava does it again with another spectacular read, and to think I accidentally found this author just from finding her book covers being so beautiful. You will not be disappointed in this touching and inspiring love story.

[Tammy L Needy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really nice read

I really like this series with the great charters. The diversity in the family brought a fresh new aspect to the story and people in it. Can't wait to start the next book in the series.

[Darlene LEE (Patti Lee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wishes

This as with all the others I enjoyed immensely! I do have to say it could have used a better Proof Reader, there were a lot of double words and typos!
Even that didn't spoil the book 💜

[Donna Fredericks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "Dare Valley" series is such an enjoyable storyline, and this installment was no exception. I'm looking forward to the 6th edition, but will be saddened to see it end the series . . . hopefully, only for a short time?????

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first four books in this series a few years ago. Must have been in a better mindset then. This one seemed repetitive to me.

If I finish the series I'll do it after a while. My head just isn't in the right spot for these right now. Stupid pandemic.

[Peg Petsche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Love

It was a very interesting story full of the meaning of forgiveness in a family. It was hard to stop reading at times. I like reading books that have true life endings. Some leave me wondering what happens after it ends.

[Deana Smiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself a bit impatient with this one. I didn't get a deep appreciation for Shelby or Vander. Shelby was more like a cartoon and I had a hard time believing Vander could put up with her. I love the series and hope to get to read Sadie's story.

[Ginger Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one!

I just love this series and can't wait to read the next book. One more sibling to go to fall in love!

[Deborah Alderman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Love a good series here you go, a must read

Good series! Keeps you turning the pages! I love stories where the character are the same, and you learn more about them

[Lorelei Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming series

This book was a tear jerker. Lots of anguish and family drama. Ends wonderfully and can't wait to continue the series!

[Rita Ann Lemke Goyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read did not want to put it down. Now want to read The Patchwork Quilt of Happiness but it is not on goodreads. Will have to wait till they have it.

[Katie Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even Better

A big family mystery unfolds and love blossoms in the quest for the truth. Hurt and healing with plenty of opportunities for more. Ava Miles rocks it again!

[Lashon Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Ava Miles Dare River series, fell in love with everyone in the books

[Sue J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me guessing

I love Ava’s healing qualities that she imparts in her writing. Her charters make me want to be comforted by them. Thank you Ava.